Grant aid for students

January 28, 2004

State Rep. Thomas F. Yewcic has announced that more than $8.6 million in grant awards has been distributed by American Education Services and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to 4,733 students in Cambria and Somerset counties via the Pennsylvania State Grant Program. This includes 1,452 students in the 72nd Legislative District.

"I am thrilled that 1,452 students in my legislative district will benefit from a state grant which will contribute to their future," Yewcic said. "In the competitive economy that we live in today, an education will better one's chances of being successful."

Nearly $348 million was budgeted for the State Grant program in the 2002-03 academic year. More than 154,000 Pennsylvania students were awarded a State Grant, 4,000 more than the previous year.

All money dedicated to the program by the Commonwealth goes directly to students; AES/PHEAA self-funds all administrative costs at no expense to Pennsylvania taxpayers, making an additional $9 million available to students.

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The Pennsylvania State Grant Program, one of the largest and most effective programs of its kind in the nation, was established in 1966 to provide grants to eligible Pennsylvania residents in need of financial aid. More than $5 billion in state grant funding has been awarded to date.

"This program invests not only in our counties, but also in the future of our state and our nation," Yewcic said. "State grants are the most effective form of student assistance because, unlike student loans, they do not have to be repaid."

Pennsylvania students also received more than $1.8 billion student loans guaranteed by AES/PHEAA during 2003.

Further information on the many student aid programs available to Pennsylvania students can be obtained by contacting Yewcic's constituent service office at 814-533-2368 or by visiting PHEAA's Web site at www.PHEAA.org.